The combination of a myriad of small factors adds up to increase your property’s saleability. It is this saleability that sees one home sell faster than another.
Criticise your home; look for its faults. Ask your Century 21 agent to give you their honest opinion. They sell houses every day and don’t have the emotional ties you have.
Walk down the road away from your house. Now, turn around and walk towards it; into the front yard, through the house and into the backyard, this time viewing it through the super critical eyes of a potential buyer. Note every negative; straggly hedges, unswept pathways, finger-marked front door, scuff marks in the hallway, flaking paint, dust, cobwebs, faded curtains, mouldy tiles, rust-marked sink, mouldy shower curtain, unhealthy pot plants.
Any of these things - however minor - will tell a prospective buyer that the house has not been well cared for lately. This in turn has them thinking “MAINTENANCE COSTS’ in capital letters.
It’s ironic that at the time you are leaving your house forever, it has to look the best it ever has. Achieving this takes seriously hard work. Get every member of the household involved in a major spruce-up project.
Spring clean your house
Check interior walls and ceilings for signs of damp and mould and clean it off. Polish woodwork, clean curtains, steam clean carpets (especially if you have pets), wash wallpaper, clean bathroom walls, tiles and grouting, polish brass or silver fixtures, clean inside drawers and cupboards, get rid of scuff marks and clean major appliances. Clean all small appliances, vents, skylights, and insect screens. Give the house a thorough airing to rid it of smells, dust and mustiness.
Wash down the outside of the house, clean out the gutters, remove oil spills and other stains in the garage or on the driveway, hose driveway and pathways clear of debris.
Buyer’s eyes like order and open space
Clean out wardrobes, drawers, bookcases, and linen cupboards. Be ruthless: send anything you haven’t used to a charity. Neaten what remains: books flush to the edge of shelves, clothes on similar types of hangers, facing one way, games stacked, largest at the bottom, anything with a label facing forward. Store excess furniture. Clean out the refrigerator and freezer of excess foods. Dismantle collections (plates, ornaments, brick a’brac): while some people will admire them, others will feel claustrophobic or may find them distasteful.
Rearrange your furniture if need be to create a maximum feeling of space. During inspection times allow for people to clearly walk through each room. Clear the street in front of your house of litter, organise tools, coil hoses neatly, trim plants and shrubs, weed out dying plants.
Repair, repaint, replace
Patch cracks, replace broken glass, repair wood rot, and replace missing or loose tiles. Arrange for appliance and plumbing repairs. Replace dull or dated light fixtures, broken or mismatched switch plates or outlet covers. Repaint skirting boards, picture rails, and any areas where scuff marks cannot be removed by cleaning. Repair fences; make sure gates work easily and noiselessly. Re-enamel a chipped bathtub. Repair broken or cracked steps. Check foundations for cracks; and the condition of roof, gutters and down pipes. Reseal deck if necessary, tighten railings for added safety.
Put your house into neutral
Neutral paintwork, carpets, curtains and décor can accommodate most decorating styles. Get rid of loud wallpaper and controversial artwork. Put away personal items. Neutralise any odours that may linger in your house. Cooking odours or musty smells can be alleviated by opening windows or masked with the sweet smell of a vase of flowers, or burning some essential oils.
Add appeal with additional touches
If your garden looks a bit boring, buy some potted plants and cluster them strategically. Fix house numbers, buy a new doormat and improve outdoor lighting. Places vases of fresh flowers throughout the house. Help buyers imagine their lifestyle by putting out your outdoor furniture. And - cliché though it sounds - the smell of brewing coffee or vanilla really boost the appeal of your home. Playing ambient, relaxing music in the background can also help.
Light and small points add appeal
Open the blinds and let as much natural light into the house as you can. Switch on all the lamps throughout the house and lights in kitchen and bathroom.
Before open house
Make all beds before leaving the house. Tidy cupboards, drawers and dressing tables. For best results wipe down shower or bath and sink with a towel.
Put away personal care items. Clean up straight after meals and put utensils away, don’t leave to dry on the kitchen sink. Tidy newspapers, magazines, toys, games, videos and sporting equipment. Empty wastebaskets, hide dirty clothes. Finish each room before moving on to the next. Vacuum or sweep as necessary. Make sure your house is a pleasant temperature. Tidy front and back yards. Sweep front path and rake up fallen leaves.
Finally, take five! Allow yourself a few moments to take a breather and sneak one more look around the house. Positively greet the real estate agent with a smile and leave before advertised open for inspection time.
Glossary of Property Terms
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